Elgin Computer Guy

If you’ve used a computer consultant in the past, please take my poll and tell me what you hated the most about the experience.

I discovered the 30 Day Challenge last year about 1/2 way through it.  I tried catching up, but just couldn’t.  Even with the frustrations of not being able to get things done in time to work with the group, I learned an incredible amount about Internet Marketing.

This years challenge looks even better!  I downloaded FLOCK as a result of watching the first “pre-season” video and I love it.  Can’t wait!!  Join me.

Late this afternoon I received a recorded phone call. Short and to the point - (paraphrased) “Someone wrote a review of your business, please go to www.merchantcircle.com and enter your business phone number into the box to see your listing.”

So what? I’ve been listed in Who’s Who before when they wanted to sell me a book, too. I was curious enough to go check it out anyway. (more…)

Being a freelance computer consultant has its ups and downs. I sometimes get so busy I think my head will explode if the phone rings one more time, then I go through periods of sitting around and wondering if the phone will ever ring again.

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One of my clients is a truly gifted photographer of people and events - James Harvey. We recently did a barter where I did some computer repairs for him and he took some photos of me to use for marketing.

I’m very rarely happy with pictures of me, but I like these. They’re gonna be great for promoting my business.

Thanks, James!

My biggest job as a freelancer started today. The customer ordered the equipment and it’s starting to trickle in. The best thing about being a computer consultant is being paid to play with expensive high tech toys that I can’t afford to buy myself. (OK, so it’s actually work and they’re tools - not toys, but I love my job!)

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After struggling with the mail merge capabilities (previous post) of ACT! and Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager, I went looking for an online solution. Of course Salesforce.com seemed to be the logical place to start. I went there and found out that the personal edition is FREE. I’m all for free stuff, so I signed up. It’s too early to tell if it’s going to solve my problems or not, but thought I’d pass it along:

FREE Personal Edition of Salesforce.com

I’ve had MS Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager for a while now but never really got the hang of using it. I understand ACT! is the top seller in this category, so I tried using it many months ago and didn’t like it much either. Just the other day I downloaded the new version and tried it again.

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